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Sehwag and India make amends

The contrast between the 2007 World Cup game between Bangladesh and India, and this one, couldn't have been greater. Right from the toss - India had chosen to bat on that occasion - almost everything was completely different between the two games. The biggest difference was Virender Sehwag's performance: in that Trinidad game he scored 2 off 6; this time he lasted 134 balls more, and, not surprisingly, that made all the difference. Sehwag's presence meant India scored far more runs in the first ten overs, which in turn put pressure on Bangladesh's spinners, who had been completely dominant in Port of Spain. The slow nature of the track meant run-scoring wasn't all that easy in the afternoon, but, as often happens when Sehwag is in this mood, these trivialities didn't matter a jot.

Contrast between India's innings in 2007 and 2011

In 2007

In 2011

The toss

India chose to bat

Bangladesh chose to field

Score after 15 overs

40 for 3

104 for 1

Dot balls in first 15 overs

73

41

4s/ 6s in first 15 overs

2/ 0

12/ 1

Performance of Bangladesh spinners

6 for 117 in 30 overs

2 for 238 in 33 overs

Performance of Bangladesh fast bowlers

4 for 69 in 19.3 overs

1 for 129 in 17 overs

Before the tournament Sehwag spoke about his desire to bat for longer periods, and the manner in which he batted here showed he is serious about implementing those plans. He faced 140 deliveries in this innings, which is the most he has ever faced in an ODI innings, beating his earlier record by one ball. In fact, in 223 ODI innings, he has faced more than 120 deliveries only three times, and both the earlier instances were before 2004.

The way he paced his innings was interesting: he started off in a frenzy, scoring 12 off his first six balls, but then made only 15 off his next 27, so that after the first ten overs he was on a relatively subdued 27 off 33. The start of the second Powerplay made him switch gears, as he struck four fours off his next six balls, a sequence that turned the momentum India's way. At the end of the 33rd, he'd scored 104 off 99, before the batting Powerplay helped him move up a further gear, as he scored 33 off 17 balls during this period.

How Sehwag paced his innings

First 6 balls

Next 27 balls

Next 66 balls

Last 41 balls

Runs scored

12

15

77

71

The only bowler who controlled the runs against him to some extent was Rubel Hossain, who gave away only 22 off 29 balls. The most helpless ones were Shafiul Islam (32 off 17 balls) and Abdur Razzak (57 off 33).

From Bangladesh's point of view, they made the job even easier for Sehwag by bowling plenty of boundary balls on both sides of the wicket. Sehwag's wagon-wheel of boundaries shows there was little the bowlers could do to stem the runs

Highest total in the opening game of the World Cup
India had been on the receiving end in the first game of the 1975 World Cup, when England, propelled by a century from Dennis Amiss, amassed 334 in 60 overs. India's 370 against Bangladesh is not only the highest team total on the opening day of World Cups, but also the fifth highest in all World Cup matches.

Highest individual score on the opening day in World Cups
The opening day of every World Cup except the 1999 and 2007 editions has seen a century being scored. Sehwag's 175 surpassed Glenn Turner's 171 against East Africa which was scored on the opening day of the 1975 World Cup.

Highest ODI score for Sehwag
Sehwag, during his 175, went past his previous ODI best of 146. His 175 is the joint second-highest score by an Indian batsman in World Cups, behind Sourav Ganguly's 183 and the fourth highest overall.

Top individual score in ODIs in Bangladesh
Sehwag's 175 is the highest score in ODIs in Bangladesh, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's 141 against Australia in 1998. It is also the highest score by an Indian batsman against Bangladesh and the second-highest overall against Bangladesh, behind Charles Coventry's 194 in 2009.

Most 200-plus partnerships
The 203-run stand between Sehwag and Virat Kohli is the fifth 200-plus stand for India in World Cups, the most for any team. Sehwag was involved a the previous 200-plus stand too, against Bermuda in 2007.

Kohli's century on World Cup debut
Kohli became the first Indian and the 13th batsman to score a century on his World Cup debut. The previous batsman to achieve this feat was Jeremy Bray of Ireland against Zimbabwe in 2007. Andy Flower remains the only batsman to score a century on ODI debut in a World Cup game.

Most expensive bowling figures for a Bangladesh bowler
Among bowlers who have bowled atleast five overs in an innings, Shafiul Islam's economy rate of 9.85 in his seven overs is the highest for a Bangladesh bowler in World Cups, and the fifth highest for a Bangladesh bowler in all ODIs.

Interesting analysis of all records related to first day of the world cup and first match of the world cup…but at few places the analysis is confusing one..when England had scored 334 in the first game of 1975 world cup how Glen Turner of New Zealand scored 171 on the opening day. It should have been mentioned that 4 matches were played on the first day of 1975 World Cup. Another confusing line of this article is…Sehwag's 175 is the highest score in ODIs in Bangladesh, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's 141 against Australia in 1998…these two sentences do not have any relationship…anyway as a whole interesting comparisons as far world cup statistics is concerned.

Posted by
Sibhi
on (February 20, 2011, 8:33 GMT)

GURUJIT - Yup!! I gotta Agree with him.The way our seamers are Bowling i guess its better to always have an Extra Seamer more over we have enuf spin in the bank

Posted by
Dummy4
on (February 19, 2011, 18:57 GMT)

Excellent comparison! The information was very interesting. Sehwag's innings today was simply outstanding. I was glued to the TV till the very end. I hope and wish he continues his form right through the world cup.

Posted by
GURUJIT
on (February 19, 2011, 18:51 GMT)

CONGRATS to all the INDIANS. A great day to watch how the Delhites played. My point is that we must play with 3 seamers, indifferent with the pitch. Because if one bowler is targeted by the batsmen then there are 2 more bowlers to rescue the situation. On the other hand, we have lots of alternatives in the spin department. Hope our team managent also agree to my point.